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Showing results for tags 'white house coordinator for middle east'.
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between the influence of Washington and Tehran US report: Indicators of Sudani's ability to maintain government neutrality 'not promising' 2023.01.28 - 17:19 Baghdad - people An American report by the Washington Institute announced that it is still too early to write off the Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani, as being affiliated with Iran, while indicating that he is following a path familiar to Iraqi governments: doing the minimum necessary to prevent deterioration with Washington while meeting the voracious demands of his “supported partners.” from Iran," but "the indications are not promising." The report, written by David Schenker, a senior fellow at the Institute and followed by “NAS” (January 28, 2023), stated that Al-Sudani hosted talks with Brett McGurk, the US National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa. Shortly thereafter, Al-Sudani reportedly hosted Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, adding that the exact sequence of these meetings highlights the precarious balancing act that the new prime minister is still performing nearly 100 days into his term. . Given that he came to office with the support of the Iran-aligned parliamentary coalition coordinating framework, "it remains unclear whether he commits to an independent Iraq with strong ties to the United States or adopts the same stance that many of his predecessors did: placating Washington with "Quietly putting Baghdad on Tehran's side. The early indications are not promising." The report indicates that the position of Muhammad Shia al-Sudani regarding the status of American forces has publicly called for the continued presence of American forces to ensure the permanent defeat of ISIS, but his support for the strategic framework agreement between the United States and Iraq - which stipulates that the American presence is "at the request and invitation." From the Iraqi government - he may not please his coalition partners, but he will probably be able to continue deflecting this issue in favor of the Iraqi government. Regarding Al-Sudani's ability to continue his position, the report stated that "this position may depend on two conditions: if Al-Sudani's government sets a budget that provides sufficient care for the coalition forces, and if Iran and its Iraqi partners remain willing to tolerate the American presence despite their loud rhetoric." On the legal challenges facing Al-Sudani, the report indicated that the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a delegation to Baghdad on the third anniversary of the killing of Soleimani. Its stated goal was to pressure Al-Sudani over calling the late leader an "official guest" at the time of his death — a ploy that would give Tehran greater leverage to wage "legal war" against Washington. The request is a test for al-Sudani, who seems to understand that joining Tehran on this matter will complicate relations with the United States and dilute its economic and security benefits. So far, the prime minister has condemned the targeted killing of Soleimani as a "flagrant violation of Iraqi territory and Iraqi sovereignty," but has not met the request of the "official guest" from Tehran or formally agreed to establish a joint tribunal with Iran to internationalize the issue. Sudani's coalition partners regard Soleimani as a martyred hero, so they are likely to keep pressure on him either way. The report concludes that Al-Sudani’s partners in the coordination framework do not face a major problem with Muhajah so far, as “with regard to the militias, the most important issue is nepotism, which Al-Sudani already distributes to them in the currency of high government positions, and soon, budget benefits.” It notes that the budget surplus resulting from The recent hike in oil prices will be used to hire an additional 300,000 civil servants, "a massive distribution of patronage that will undoubtedly benefit the prime minister's coalition partners." And the American report adds, "Although it is still too early to write off Al-Sudani as an Iranian vassal, he is following a path familiar to Iraqi governments: that is, doing the minimum necessary to prevent deterioration with Washington while meeting the voracious demands of his Iranian-backed partners." He notes that Al-Sudani will face great difficulty in fighting corruption and improving the economy as long as he is subject to the dictates of Iran and its local allies. Yet this is exactly what he appears to be doing at the moment, if only to thwart snap elections that could bring back opponent Muqtada al-Sadr. -
Sudanese by Brett McGurk: The government is moving towards opening prospects for cooperation with friendly countries 2023.01.16 - 21:34 Baghdad - Nas On Monday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani discussed several files with the White House coordinator for Middle East and North Africa affairs, Brett McGurk. And a statement by the prime minister’s office, a copy of which “NAS” received, stated (January 16, 2023), “Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani received, this evening, Monday, the White House Coordinator for Middle East and North Africa Affairs, Mr. Brett McGurk, an envoy of US President Joseph Biden, The meeting witnessed a discussion of the overall relations between Iraq and the United States, and ways to strengthen and develop them at various levels and fields, in a way that serves the interests of the Iraqi and American peoples. The Prime Minister affirmed, according to the statement, "the government's direction to open horizons of cooperation with friendly and brotherly countries, in a way that secures the interests of the Iraqi people." Al-Sudani also stressed, according to the statement, "the ability of our security forces to confront terrorism and stabilize the stability achieved thanks to the huge sacrifices made on the land of Iraq." For his part, McGurk affirmed, according to the statement, "his country's support for the success of the current government, and the continuation of the United States to provide advice to the Iraqi forces in their fight against ISIS," reiterating "the US administration's commitment to the strategic framework agreement, and support for the Iraqi government's reforms in the field of energy and infrastructure and confronting climate change." . The statement added, "McGurk also conveyed his country's welcome to the outcomes of the Baghdad Conference / 2, and efforts to develop joint infrastructure projects between Iraq and its surroundings, and its welcome to the upcoming visit of Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein to Washington to hold meetings of the Supreme Coordinating Committee of the strategic framework agreement between the two countries." The statement concluded, "The meeting was attended by the Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security, Amos Hochstein, and the US Ambassador to Baghdad, Alina Romanowski."
